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Greg Smith (pitcher)

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Greg Smith
Smith with the Colorado Rockies
Pitcher
Born: (1983-12-22) December 22, 1983 (age 40)
Alexandria, Louisiana, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Professional debut
MLB: April 9, 2008, for the Oakland Athletics
CPBL: April 1, 2016, for the Lamigo Monkeys
Last appearance
MLB: May 19, 2010, for the Colorado Rockies
CPBL: August 2, 2016, for the Lamigo Monkeys
MLB statistics
Win–loss record8–18
Earned run average4.51
Strikeouts142
CPBL statistics
Win–loss record1-5
Earned run average8.46
Strikeouts31
Teams

Gregory Thomas Smith (born December 22, 1983) is a former American professional baseball pitcher. He has played in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics and the Colorado Rockies.

Baseball career

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Smith during his time with the A's.

Amateur

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Smith attended Louisiana State University, where he played for the LSU Tigers baseball team. In 2004, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[1] Smith was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth round in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft.

Oakland Athletics

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On December 14, 2007, Smith was traded to the Oakland Athletics along with Carlos González, Brett Anderson, Aaron Cunningham, Dana Eveland, and Chris Carter for Dan Haren and Connor Robertson. Smith made his first major league start on April 9, 2008, pitching six innings and allowing two earned runs, and earned a no decision.

In the 2008 season, he led the majors in pickoffs with 15, tying the Major League record since the stat was first tracked in 1987.[2][1]

Smith would wind up finishing the season with a 7-16 record in 32 starts for the A's. He threw 190.1 innings while throwing 2 complete games.

Colorado Rockies

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On November 12, 2008, Smith was traded with Huston Street and Carlos González to the Colorado Rockies for Matt Holliday.[3]

Smith missed the first half of the season due to injury and never made it to the major league club during the year. He only pitched in 11 games between A ball and AAA in the Rockies system.

In 2010, Smith made it to the club out of spring training. He recorded his first win as a Rocky against the Mets on April 14, pitching 7 innings of 2 run ball. He also drove in 2 runs.

Smith would make 6 more starts for the Rockies before being demoted to Triple A. Smith wound up finishing with a record of 1-2 with an ERA of 6.23 in 39 innings. He also issued 24 walks with 31 strikeouts. He was sent outright to Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox on August 26.

On March 31, 2011, following spring training, Smith was officially released by the Colorado Rockies organization.[4]

Grand Prairie AirHogs

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On May 13, 2011, Smith signed with the Grand Prairie AirHogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball. In 6 starts 39 innings he went 3-1 with a 2.54 ERA with 31 strikeouts also having one complete game shutout.

New York Yankees

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On June 12, 2011, He signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. He was assigned to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.[5] He was released on August 15 after posting an ERA of 4.84 in 13 games.[6]

Boston Red Sox

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On August 18, 2011, Smith signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox, and was assigned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.[7] He became a free agent following the season on November 2.

Between the Yankees and Red Sox Triple A system, Smith compiled a 5-4 record with a 4.52 ERA in 17 games.

Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim

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On January 23, 2012, Smith signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Despite posting an 11-11 record and having better control throughout the season, Smith never got called up by the Angels.[8] He became a free agent following the season on November 2.

Toronto Blue Jays

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On December 11, 2012, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that Smith had been signed to a minor league contract.[9]

Smith never reported to the Blue Jays AAA system Buffalo Bisons.

Philadelphia Phillies

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On May 6, 2013, the Philadelphia Phillies announced that Smith signed to a minor league contract.[10]

Smith was moved to the bullpen for the first time in his career.[11]

On July 26, Smith threw a season high 101 pitches en route to a win. He improved his record to 5-1 in AAA.[12]

Smith won July Honors for the Valley Pigs, going 3-0 with a 1.06 ERA in 5 starts improving his record to 7-2 for the Phillies Triple-A system.[13]

He finished the season 8-4 with a 3.31 ERA in 23 games for the Iron Pigs.

Atlanta Braves

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On November 7, 2014, Smith signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves.[14] They assigned him to the Gwinnett Braves. For the 5th season in a row, spent the majority of the season in AAA, alternating between starting and relieving. In 31 games, including 19 starts, Smith posted an ERA of 2.71 while going 6-7. He became a free agent following the season on November 6.

Lancaster Barnstormers

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On March 3, 2016, Smith signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. On March 29, 2016, his contract was sold to the Lamigo Monkeys. In 9 games 5.2 innings of relief he went 0-0 with an 11.12 ERA and 5 strikeouts.

Lamigo Monkeys

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On March 31, 2016, Smith signed with the Lamigo Monkeys of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[15] He became a free agent after the 2016 season.

Scouting report

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Smith is a changeup specialist, relying more on off speed pitches and deception rather than velocity. His fastball tops out between 86-88 MPH and he also throws a curveball.[16]

One knock on Smith throughout his career has been the walks per nine innings, as he has amassed more than four walks per nine innings.[17]

References

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  1. ^ "2004 Bourne Braves". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  2. ^ "2008 Oakland Athletics highlights". oakland.athletics.mlb.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012.
  3. ^ "Rockies, A's complete Holliday deal". Archived from the original on April 21, 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2008.
  4. ^ "Rockies release Greg Smith, other minor leaguers | Inside the Colorado Rockies". April 4, 2011. Archived from the original on April 7, 2011.
  5. ^ Polishuk, Mark (June 13, 2011). "Yankees Sign Greg Smith, Cory Wade". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved June 14, 2011.
  6. ^ "New York Yankees: Lefty Greg Smith Signed for Pitching Depth". Bleacher Report.
  7. ^ "The Official Site of Minor League Baseball".
  8. ^ "Angels Sign Pitcher Greg Smith". February 3, 2012.
  9. ^ "Jays sign 8 to minor league deals". Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  10. ^ "Phils Add LHP Greg Smith – Phillies Nation". May 6, 2013.
  11. ^ "Greg Smith adjusting to new role in Lehigh Valley IronPigs bullpen". June 9, 2013.
  12. ^ "Smith, Two-Run Third Lift Lehigh Valley in Series Finale".
  13. ^ "Asche, Smith win July Honors as Phillies Minor League Players of the Month".[dead link]
  14. ^ "Braves sign Greg Smith and Eli Whiteside to minor league deals". November 8, 2014.
  15. ^ 第四位外籍戰力來台 洋投史密斯今報到 (in Traditional Chinese). Lamigo Monkeys. March 24, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  16. ^ "Scouting Report for LHP Greg Smith". April 13, 2010.
  17. ^ "Greg Smith | SoxProspects.com".
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